16 Additional Ferries Deployed on Gilimanuk-Ketapang Route as Homebound Travellers Surge
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry has significantly increased ferry capacity at the Gilimanuk port crossing to Ketapang, Banyuwangi, following lengthy queues of homebound travellers heading to Banyuwangi during the Lebaran holiday period.
“According to reports from ASDP field teams, 16 additional ferries have been deployed using an arrive-unload-depart (TBB) scheme,” said Nyono, head of East Java’s Transportation Department, in Surabaya on Tuesday, 17 March.
As a result of this approach, vehicle queues have gradually decreased from a previous 35 kilometres to 18 kilometres, according to Nyono. The East Java Transportation Department has deployed a full team to facilitate the smooth passage of homebound travellers arriving in Banyuwangi and to assist with parking for those heading to Bali ahead of Nyepi.
A total of 35 ferry units are being operated for the crossing. However, the sheer volume of homebound travellers has caused vehicle queues stretching 35 kilometres to the Gilimanuk port.
Of the 35-vessel fleet, 16 large-capacity ferries have been designated for arrive-unload-depart operations. This means these 16 vessels only load cargo at Gilimanuk port, unload at Ketapang port, and do not perform loading operations from Ketapang.
Data from ASDP’s Ketapang Lebaran Transport Post recorded a significant increase in cross-strait traffic from Bali to Java on H-6 Lebaran (six days before Lebaran), with 80,416 passengers recorded—a 33.8% increase compared to 60,099 passengers during the same period last year.
Two-wheeled vehicles totalled 18,306 units, a 52.7% increase from 11,987 units last year, whilst four-wheeled vehicles reached 5,044 units, up 9.2% from 4,620 units last year. Buses totalled 945 units, up 39% from 680 units last year, whilst trucks totalled 1,590 units, down 13.4% from 1,835 units during the same period last year.
Overall, total vehicles crossing from Bali to Java on H-6 Lebaran reached 25,885 units, up 35.4% from 19,122 units during the same period last year.
This situation is critical as the Ketapang-Gilimanuk port operations will be completely shut down on 18 March to honour religious observances in Bali.
The Ministry of Transport has implemented a delaying system and established buffer zones at Merak, Bakauheni, Ketapang and Gilimanuk ports to anticipate congestion during the 2026 Lebaran homebound and return travel periods.
Officials have emphasised the need for comprehensive maintenance audits of ferry vessels. This measure was taken in response to logistics vehicle queues that once stretched more than 30 kilometres at Ketapang port, Banyuwangi.
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa sent a letter to the Ministry of Transport regarding congestion at Ketapang port, Banyuwangi.
Pelindo Regional 4 Makassar recorded a surge in 2026 Lebaran homebound traffic from H-15 to H-5. The latest data shows a total of 308,473 homebound travellers have journeyed through 20 branches.
Jasa Marga recorded 812,342 vehicles exiting the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi region from H-10 to H-6 of Lebaran 2026, with increases driven by toll tariff discounts and work-from-anywhere policies.
Despite rainy weather in Central Java, several tourist destinations along the Lebaran homebound route and souvenir centres are becoming increasingly crowded with travellers.